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Posted by: Judson53 - 21 March 2009 09:56:55
As some of you may know my 1953 Oval was in the stages of a full on resto. A few bits of welding needed doing then it was going for blasting to get rid of years of crap and paint to start afresh! Tuesday was the day.....of it went in a Luton van to be blasted.....I called the bodyshop that evening and the prognosis wasnt good :( We, rather nervously, set off on Wednesday eve to go and have a look and decide what was to be done. When we got there the shell was a mess to say the least........someone in the past had cut up a 1953 standard oval and grafted (incredibly badly i might add) the "details" into a mish mash of bits of beetle shells from various years and done some very poor repairs (which are now dangerous) then sculpted the rest with filler :( ..............needless to say the money it would take to repair the repairs let alone re sculpting bits in filler would far out weigh the value of the finished item which would always be a fake! So it will be no more :( Just a few pics....... what was once this.... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/019-5.jpg[/img] now looks like this..... [IMG]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/andys%20car/017-2.jpg[/IMG] 1953 door pillar pressings welded in... [IMG]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/andys%20car/DSCF0112.jpg[/IMG] rear quarter, passenger side with blob of filler left on to show how thick it was... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/andys%20car/032-2.jpg[/img] drivers side of dash... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/036-4.jpg[/img] inside front wheel arch... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/038-3.jpg[/img] rear bumper mount....the other side was worse [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/015-6.jpg[/img] rear inner wheel arch... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/025-1.jpg[/img] even gone to the effort of cutting out the old body number and welding it into the "new" shell..... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/DSCF0115.jpg[/img] theres loads more but you get the idea! No one, even the the more knowlegeable vw enthusiasts that saw it at shows suspected anything was wrong with it just a bit of tatty paint in places and a bit of rust in the front wheel arch! Goes to show you cant trust anyone even in VW'ers :evil: On the plus side, even though its a very small plus side, at least it was blasted cos that showed what a state it was before any major work was done! I spent the evening last night with a friend looking over the shell and have found even more evidence of non factory "grafting"

Posted by: Judson53 - 21 March 2009 09:56:55

As some of you may know my 1953 Oval was in the stages of a full on resto. A few bits of welding needed doing then it was going for blasting to get rid of years of crap and paint to start afresh! Tuesday was the day.....of it went in a Luton van to be blasted.....I called the bodyshop that evening and the prognosis wasnt good :( We, rather nervously, set off on Wednesday eve to go and have a look and decide what was to be done. When we got there the shell was a mess to say the least........someone in the past had cut up a 1953 standard oval and grafted (incredibly badly i might add) the "details" into a mish mash of bits of beetle shells from various years and done some very poor repairs (which are now dangerous) then sculpted the rest with filler :( ..............needless to say the money it would take to repair the repairs let alone re sculpting bits in filler would far out weigh the value of the finished item which would always be a fake! So it will be no more :( Just a few pics....... what was once this.... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/019-5.jpg[/img] now looks like this..... [IMG]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/andys%20car/017-2.jpg[/IMG] 1953 door pillar pressings welded in... [IMG]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/andys%20car/DSCF0112.jpg[/IMG] rear quarter, passenger side with blob of filler left on to show how thick it was... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/andys%20car/032-2.jpg[/img] drivers side of dash... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/036-4.jpg[/img] inside front wheel arch... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/038-3.jpg[/img] rear bumper mount....the other side was worse [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/015-6.jpg[/img] rear inner wheel arch... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/025-1.jpg[/img] even gone to the effort of cutting out the old body number and welding it into the "new" shell..... [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/DSCF0115.jpg[/img] theres loads more but you get the idea! No one, even the the more knowlegeable vw enthusiasts that saw it at shows suspected anything was wrong with it just a bit of tatty paint in places and a bit of rust in the front wheel arch! Goes to show you cant trust anyone even in VW'ers :evil: On the plus side, even though its a very small plus side, at least it was blasted cos that showed what a state it was before any major work was done! I spent the evening last night with a friend looking over the shell and have found even more evidence of non factory "grafting"

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 21 March 2009 11:14:23
I feel for you! That is everyones worse nightmare! :shock: :evil: I can lend you a blunt knife if you want to go and pay the previous owners a visit! I had a good look around this at a show (cant think which) and it was a car that I would have just bought there and then, no messing! Well, if I had the cash! So what year roughly was the shell? Late 50s or did they go to the trouble of fitting a complete front end to a 60s bug? :shock: :roll: What a shame! I really liked this car and it is worrying to think that when I and indeed everyone else saw it it just looked like a nice clean original early oval standard!:cry: :twisted: Is the chassis a "cut n shut" as well or is that the original 53 cable braked one?

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 21 March 2009 11:14:23

I feel for you! That is everyones worse nightmare! :shock: :evil: I can lend you a blunt knife if you want to go and pay the previous owners a visit! I had a good look around this at a show (cant think which) and it was a car that I would have just bought there and then, no messing! Well, if I had the cash! So what year roughly was the shell? Late 50s or did they go to the trouble of fitting a complete front end to a 60s bug? :shock: :roll: What a shame! I really liked this car and it is worrying to think that when I and indeed everyone else saw it it just looked like a nice clean original early oval standard!:cry: :twisted: Is the chassis a "cut n shut" as well or is that the original 53 cable braked one?

Posted by: VW Stan - 21 March 2009 11:52:03
Oh no!! That's terrible news. :cry: So there'll be one less RHD standard around now. If the work had all been done well it would be a whole different matter. Malc

Posted by: JULIANROBINSON - 21 March 2009 13:30:03
Like I said on the phone... Gutted for you. :( I really thought you had a lovely looking Bug :cry: Did you get anywhere with the Ausy Shell? Can't believe how bad it looks.. Speak soon about the parts? Julian

Posted by: 55Kab - 21 March 2009 15:00:27
WOW! :shock: Really feel for you, that is unbelievable. Not sure who you had look at it but I for one can tell straight away that the under tank bulkhead panel is not pre Aug-55. Not that it would lead you to believe the car is a fake but you would perhaps do some more digging had you known. PM you contact's as I may know someone that can make use of the shell (or more as is).

Posted by: stu - 21 March 2009 22:02:30
bloody hell!! is this the car that was on ebay for 6k? 7k?, whys the whole rear window section been grafted in? is this even an oval? or just a collection of bits?, do you have pics of the car before blasting?

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 21 March 2009 22:10:07
[quote=stu]bloody hell!! is this the car that was on ebay for 6k? 7k?, whys the whole rear window section been grafted in? is this even an oval? or just a collection of bits?, do you have pics of the car before blasting?[/quote] [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/019-5.jpg[/img] :wink: It was a lovely car! I have looked around it a good many of times and have never thought it was anything other than a origial standard 53!:cry: :evil:

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 21 March 2009 22:10:07

[quote=stu]bloody hell!! is this the car that was on ebay for 6k? 7k?, whys the whole rear window section been grafted in? is this even an oval? or just a collection of bits?, do you have pics of the car before blasting?[/quote] [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/019-5.jpg[/img] :wink: It was a lovely car! I have looked around it a good many of times and have never thought it was anything other than a origial standard 53!:cry: :evil:

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 21 March 2009 22:12:33
All you can see in this picture before the striping is that there is a bit of a dodgy patch on the inner RHS wing! :shock: You would have never have known!:roll: [-x :? [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/009-9.jpg[/img]

Posted by: stu - 21 March 2009 22:15:16
[quote=54 Gertie] [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/019-5.jpg[/img] :wink: It was a lovely car! I have looked around it a good many of times and have never thought it was anything other than a origial standard 53!:cry: :evil: [/quote] i meant bigger colour pics of the whole car, ive never seen the car in the flesh, but i remember ringing the guy when it was for sale on ebay, i think it had a 7k reserve!, it certainly shows how good it is to buy a car in original paint! as no nasty surprises!

Posted by: stu - 21 March 2009 22:15:16

[quote=54 Gertie] [img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/019-5.jpg[/img] :wink: It was a lovely car! I have looked around it a good many of times and have never thought it was anything other than a origial standard 53!:cry: :evil: [/quote] i meant bigger colour pics of the whole car, ive never seen the car in the flesh, but i remember ringing the guy when it was for sale on ebay, i think it had a 7k reserve!, it certainly shows how good it is to buy a car in original paint! as no nasty surprises!

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 21 March 2009 22:16:53
Edit

Posted by: stu - 21 March 2009 22:27:35
[quote=54 Gertie] There are a few on here! sorry for poking through you Photobucket but I was having a look for any other "repairs" https://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/?start=0 What I want to know is how did the make a late windscreen surround the same size as an ovals?:? [/quote] effing hell! those inner rear wings are a patchwork quilt, no offence but i wouldnt of bought this car after seeing that, its an oval windscreen aperture, not later

Posted by: stu - 21 March 2009 22:27:35

[quote=54 Gertie] There are a few on here! sorry for poking through you Photobucket but I was having a look for any other "repairs" https://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/ratlookblue/?start=0 What I want to know is how did the make a late windscreen surround the same size as an ovals?:? [/quote] effing hell! those inner rear wings are a patchwork quilt, no offence but i wouldnt of bought this car after seeing that, its an oval windscreen aperture, not later

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 21 March 2009 22:35:36
[quote=stu]its an oval windscreen aperture, not later[/quote] But if the original car was from oval ear why did they let in the 53s dash etc? :?: :wink: Im guessing that the shell was anything from 58 - 63!:roll:

Posted by: stu - 21 March 2009 23:00:19
[quote=54 Gertie] But if the original car was from oval ear why did they let in the 53s dash etc? :?: :wink: Im guessing that the shell was anything from 58 - 63!:roll: [/quote] it looks like the dash has been repaired not replaced

Posted by: topolino - 22 March 2009 08:25:54
thats a bit naughty someone having done this and passed it off as a age correct stock bug, its been done from the start to decieve, if it were a slammed bug ratty or resto cal you could be led to believe it was done to achieve oval looks by someone who could not afford or locate an oval, but passing it off as a standard 53 in stock form is disgracefull and probably illegal by swapping the id number over,is the chassis a 53 with the correct id (not a welded number put in)and the engine/box correct for the year? does nobdy know the past history of this cars reg number and who owned it in the past? if you paid proper money for this car i feel very sorry for you as you have been clearly cheated.

Posted by: topolino - 22 March 2009 08:25:54

thats a bit naughty someone having done this and passed it off as a age correct stock bug, its been done from the start to decieve, if it were a slammed bug ratty or resto cal you could be led to believe it was done to achieve oval looks by someone who could not afford or locate an oval, but passing it off as a standard 53 in stock form is disgracefull and probably illegal by swapping the id number over,is the chassis a 53 with the correct id (not a welded number put in)and the engine/box correct for the year? does nobdy know the past history of this cars reg number and who owned it in the past? if you paid proper money for this car i feel very sorry for you as you have been clearly cheated.

Posted by: Rich Oakley - 22 March 2009 11:21:36
That's shocking! I had a good look around this car at the Sussex show last year and although it wasn't perfect, I certainly would have never dreamed it would be this bad!! Didn't the guy you bought it from in Essex do the 'restoration' work before you bought it (fairly recently)?

Posted by: 55Kab - 22 March 2009 11:57:56
H'mmm, interesting as inserting an Oval windscreen frame would be the most difficult thing to do and it does look correct. Perhaps the answer on the dash is that it was once LHD? Doesn't explain the fitting of an entire rear window section unless perhaps this had been heavily damaged in the past. Is the registration KFF 194 a DVLA non-age related reissue? If it is, then it would be worth writing to the DVLA in order to track its history. As stated above, is the chassis number correct for year?

Posted by: 55Kab - 22 March 2009 11:57:56

H'mmm, interesting as inserting an Oval windscreen frame would be the most difficult thing to do and it does look correct. Perhaps the answer on the dash is that it was once LHD? Doesn't explain the fitting of an entire rear window section unless perhaps this had been heavily damaged in the past. Is the registration KFF 194 a DVLA non-age related reissue? If it is, then it would be worth writing to the DVLA in order to track its history. As stated above, is the chassis number correct for year?

Posted by: stu - 22 March 2009 12:07:41
i think you should be chasing up who ever did the resto on this car & pop a cap in their ass :shock:

Posted by: Etzhold1 - 22 March 2009 12:22:18
:shock: That is a sad story ! Is that car restored in Holland?? Because I have seen other cars repaired the same way! Guido

Posted by: Judson53 - 22 March 2009 21:34:12
Hi guys thanks for most of the comments..... Yes it was the "ebay" car but i paid no where near the reserve, When i bought it i knew it wasnt perfect and had had some obvious "repairs" hence the resto to get it as correct as possible. Im sure everyone that has owned classic VW's has had their fair share of "nasty surprises" but as you can see this one is/was a particulary nasty one that no-one suspected! Stu- the dash has definately been replaced what makes you think it has been repaired? Yep its definately been done to decieve, why else would they have bothered welding in the door pillar pressings! As far as i was told it was "restored" in 1994-1995 near London and as for contacting the DVLA...im not sure i want to know :?

Posted by: Judson53 - 22 March 2009 21:34:12

Hi guys thanks for most of the comments..... Yes it was the "ebay" car but i paid no where near the reserve, When i bought it i knew it wasnt perfect and had had some obvious "repairs" hence the resto to get it as correct as possible. Im sure everyone that has owned classic VW's has had their fair share of "nasty surprises" but as you can see this one is/was a particulary nasty one that no-one suspected! Stu- the dash has definately been replaced what makes you think it has been repaired? Yep its definately been done to decieve, why else would they have bothered welding in the door pillar pressings! As far as i was told it was "restored" in 1994-1995 near London and as for contacting the DVLA...im not sure i want to know :?

Posted by: stu - 22 March 2009 22:47:59
[quote=Judson53]Hi guys thanks for most of the comments..... Yes it was the "ebay" car but i paid no where near the reserve, When i bought it i knew it wasnt perfect and had had some obvious "repairs" hence the resto to get it as correct as possible. Im sure everyone that has owned classic VW's has had their fair share of "nasty surprises" but as you can see this one is/was a particulary nasty one that no-one suspected! Stu- the dash has definately been replaced what makes you think it has been repaired? Yep its definately been done to decieve, why else would they have bothered welding in the door pillar pressings! As far as i was told it was "restored" in 1994-1995 near London and as for contacting the DVLA...im not sure i want to know :? [/quote] what are your plans for it now?, are you trying to get your money back?

Posted by: stu - 22 March 2009 22:47:59

[quote=Judson53]Hi guys thanks for most of the comments..... Yes it was the "ebay" car but i paid no where near the reserve, When i bought it i knew it wasnt perfect and had had some obvious "repairs" hence the resto to get it as correct as possible. Im sure everyone that has owned classic VW's has had their fair share of "nasty surprises" but as you can see this one is/was a particulary nasty one that no-one suspected! Stu- the dash has definately been replaced what makes you think it has been repaired? Yep its definately been done to decieve, why else would they have bothered welding in the door pillar pressings! As far as i was told it was "restored" in 1994-1995 near London and as for contacting the DVLA...im not sure i want to know :? [/quote] what are your plans for it now?, are you trying to get your money back?

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 22 March 2009 22:49:56
[quote=stu] what are your plans for it now?, are you trying to get your money back?[/quote] Seems a shame to break it, the damage is already done! My vote would be to get the welding done so it is structural, quick cheap spray job and use it. You could then sell it, obvously as a cut n shut not a 53!:wink: Most people dont give a hoot! It may be the only way that people can afford an "oval" do they will buy it! :d

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 22 March 2009 22:49:56

[quote=stu] what are your plans for it now?, are you trying to get your money back?[/quote] Seems a shame to break it, the damage is already done! My vote would be to get the welding done so it is structural, quick cheap spray job and use it. You could then sell it, obvously as a cut n shut not a 53!:wink: Most people dont give a hoot! It may be the only way that people can afford an "oval" do they will buy it! :d

Posted by: stu - 22 March 2009 22:58:16
[quote=54 Gertie] Seems a shame to break it, the damage is already done! My vote would be to get the welding done so it is structural, quick cheap spray job and use it. You could then sell it, obvously as a cut n shut not a 53!:wink: Most people dont give a hoot! It may be the only way that people can afford an "oval" do they will buy it! :d [/quote] im no bodywork expert but cant all the cut areas be lead loaded & smoothed out & the dodgy welds ground back?

Posted by: stu - 22 March 2009 22:58:16

[quote=54 Gertie] Seems a shame to break it, the damage is already done! My vote would be to get the welding done so it is structural, quick cheap spray job and use it. You could then sell it, obvously as a cut n shut not a 53!:wink: Most people dont give a hoot! It may be the only way that people can afford an "oval" do they will buy it! :d [/quote] im no bodywork expert but cant all the cut areas be lead loaded & smoothed out & the dodgy welds ground back?

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 22 March 2009 23:11:56
[quote=stu] im no bodywork expert but cant all the cut areas be lead loaded & smoothed out & the dodgy welds ground back?[/quote] Lead loading would'nd bridge some of those gaps! :shock:

Posted by: harveypj - 22 March 2009 23:19:35
I think I'd want to re weld all those dodgy welds first, after all they are holding (well sort of holding:shock:) the car together. Sorry to read about this, I realy feel for you, you must feel sick. to start out with all the good intention only to uncover that:x :(

Posted by: mrsherbie - 23 March 2009 20:38:35
I am shocked. I dwelled on this all day yesterday while I was working in the field :( I can only say that if it were me I would take the car on a trailer and be camping right outside the guys house with it until some resolution is reached at least for a chunk of cash. It is SO unusual for someone to do this and sell the car deliberately as something it is not in 'stock' form as said above. The fact the seller made a 53 rhd standard tells me that he has a lot of knowledge of old vw's, as the majority of vw owners dont even know about standards. Is he known in the vw scene? did he have any other vw's? what's his name? I know it is easy to say and annoying to hear but I really hope you try not to let it get you down too much. As said above there are a lot of people out there, racers, modifiers and guys who want to buy an oval shell they can hack up to build beetle/rat rods and similar anyway, so given that it was a complete driving car that had a lot of good early parts on it from memory of the original advert? you should be able to break it and sell ALL the parts to recoup a lot of the money, even if you end up having to cut it completely to bits for panels/repair metal. Ovals are often worth most as parts, sad, but in this case as pre55 parts, maybe to your advantage. Research parts prices on the samba. Good luck. There is always a way out!

Posted by: mrsherbie - 23 March 2009 20:38:35

I am shocked. I dwelled on this all day yesterday while I was working in the field :( I can only say that if it were me I would take the car on a trailer and be camping right outside the guys house with it until some resolution is reached at least for a chunk of cash. It is SO unusual for someone to do this and sell the car deliberately as something it is not in 'stock' form as said above. The fact the seller made a 53 rhd standard tells me that he has a lot of knowledge of old vw's, as the majority of vw owners dont even know about standards. Is he known in the vw scene? did he have any other vw's? what's his name? I know it is easy to say and annoying to hear but I really hope you try not to let it get you down too much. As said above there are a lot of people out there, racers, modifiers and guys who want to buy an oval shell they can hack up to build beetle/rat rods and similar anyway, so given that it was a complete driving car that had a lot of good early parts on it from memory of the original advert? you should be able to break it and sell ALL the parts to recoup a lot of the money, even if you end up having to cut it completely to bits for panels/repair metal. Ovals are often worth most as parts, sad, but in this case as pre55 parts, maybe to your advantage. Research parts prices on the samba. Good luck. There is always a way out!

Posted by: Standard split - 23 March 2009 21:03:33
Phew, never seen or imagined anything like this would be done to fake up a Beetle, Split, Oval or whatever! I weep that a Beetle 'enthusiast' could do such a thing :cry: Its such a rotten, sick thing to do. I can't offer anything constructive to add to previous comments. I really am even more resolute on my feeling that buying a nice shiny car with fresh headlining is something to be very careful about. This applies especially to zwitters as I have said before on this forum. There seems to be a good few turning up considering how short the production run was. An easy way to increase the value of an early ratty oval before you restore it is to change that rear window. I have seen at least two that I would consider fakes on the market for top split-window prices :shock:

Posted by: Standard split - 23 March 2009 21:03:33

Phew, never seen or imagined anything like this would be done to fake up a Beetle, Split, Oval or whatever! I weep that a Beetle 'enthusiast' could do such a thing :cry: Its such a rotten, sick thing to do. I can't offer anything constructive to add to previous comments. I really am even more resolute on my feeling that buying a nice shiny car with fresh headlining is something to be very careful about. This applies especially to zwitters as I have said before on this forum. There seems to be a good few turning up considering how short the production run was. An easy way to increase the value of an early ratty oval before you restore it is to change that rear window. I have seen at least two that I would consider fakes on the market for top split-window prices :shock:

Posted by: Judson53 - 23 March 2009 21:06:05
Wont be bying another "restored" beetle ever again

Posted by: GKL 7 - 23 March 2009 21:47:09
That's bad. Don't know what to say. Feel for you.

Posted by: Standard split - 24 March 2009 08:46:39
[quote=Judson53]Wont be bying another "restored" beetle ever again [/quote] The bank system has selfish and greedy people, same goes for politics, sport and society in general. Even the VW scene attracts people we'd rather never meet. Don't let this awful experience put you off Beetles. I've had so much enjoyment from them over the years and there really are some great people in the vintage VW scene:wink: The Beetle is without doubt, to me anyway, the best car ever 8)

Posted by: Standard split - 24 March 2009 08:46:39

[quote=Judson53]Wont be bying another "restored" beetle ever again [/quote] The bank system has selfish and greedy people, same goes for politics, sport and society in general. Even the VW scene attracts people we'd rather never meet. Don't let this awful experience put you off Beetles. I've had so much enjoyment from them over the years and there really are some great people in the vintage VW scene:wink: The Beetle is without doubt, to me anyway, the best car ever 8)

Posted by: 48REME - 24 March 2009 12:01:57
Very, very sorry to hear about such an upsetting discovery. It's really the last thing you hope and think might happen...It's true, you never really know what's under a shiny car until it's been revealed. What I can't understand is what is the 'base' of this car? Did you get some information from the museum regarding its chassis number? There must be a way of tracing what year this car is, unless it's really a patchwork of different elements. If you do discover that deep down somewhere, there is an oval in all this and a true RHD standard model too, I wouldn't give up. I would let the disappointment and anger settle and put it away until the time comes to approach the project again. Easier said than done but it's better than throwing it away and losing all the money...Good luck with your decision anyway:cry:

Posted by: 48REME - 24 March 2009 12:01:57

Very, very sorry to hear about such an upsetting discovery. It's really the last thing you hope and think might happen...It's true, you never really know what's under a shiny car until it's been revealed. What I can't understand is what is the 'base' of this car? Did you get some information from the museum regarding its chassis number? There must be a way of tracing what year this car is, unless it's really a patchwork of different elements. If you do discover that deep down somewhere, there is an oval in all this and a true RHD standard model too, I wouldn't give up. I would let the disappointment and anger settle and put it away until the time comes to approach the project again. Easier said than done but it's better than throwing it away and losing all the money...Good luck with your decision anyway:cry:

Posted by: mpl2438 - 24 March 2009 18:17:19
Hi all new here but served my apprenticeship in a VW specialist restoration shop in the mid 80s.....:? been a police vehicle examiner etc now living semi retired in the sun Re this oval, are we sure its a hack job or has a 58-60 shell been used as a reshell for an accident repair quite legitimately and the oval grafted in aka "Rattletrap". Im always suspicious but could there be an innocent explanation. Could be made a fine car even if its only a replica. Dont dismiss all cars have a history this is part of this one. I have no connection with the car in any way, just a thought!! Regards Mark:d

Posted by: mpl2438 - 24 March 2009 18:17:19

Hi all new here but served my apprenticeship in a VW specialist restoration shop in the mid 80s.....:? been a police vehicle examiner etc now living semi retired in the sun Re this oval, are we sure its a hack job or has a 58-60 shell been used as a reshell for an accident repair quite legitimately and the oval grafted in aka "Rattletrap". Im always suspicious but could there be an innocent explanation. Could be made a fine car even if its only a replica. Dont dismiss all cars have a history this is part of this one. I have no connection with the car in any way, just a thought!! Regards Mark:d

Posted by: Sunroof53 - 24 March 2009 18:27:34
[quote=Judson53]Wont be bying another "restored" beetle ever again [/quote] I know its hard to be positive now but buying a restored car is fine if the work was documented .years ago most people never bothered taking photos, especially companys .Like mrs herbie says there are people who would love to have your car as a project .VZi is your best bet .As someone that has renovated many cars i actually get excited when i see cars like this .i start to think what i could do with it and how i would make good the shell.What i am saying ,is that there are lots of people who, like me are driven by this sort of project .My advice to you is not to rush into anything .Start by advertising the whole lot and work it from there and most of all dont loose heart .

Posted by: Sunroof53 - 24 March 2009 18:27:34

[quote=Judson53]Wont be bying another "restored" beetle ever again [/quote] I know its hard to be positive now but buying a restored car is fine if the work was documented .years ago most people never bothered taking photos, especially companys .Like mrs herbie says there are people who would love to have your car as a project .VZi is your best bet .As someone that has renovated many cars i actually get excited when i see cars like this .i start to think what i could do with it and how i would make good the shell.What i am saying ,is that there are lots of people who, like me are driven by this sort of project .My advice to you is not to rush into anything .Start by advertising the whole lot and work it from there and most of all dont loose heart .

Posted by: Standard split - 24 March 2009 18:51:39
I seem to have missed some previous info along the way about this tragic Beetle :? Presumably it has the ribbed pre '55 doors with chunky latches. Is it a full cable brake 'Standard' chassis ? [quote=mpl2438] and the oval grafted in aka "Rattletrap". [/quote] Rattletrap is not just a rear window swap :twisted:

Posted by: Judson53 - 24 March 2009 20:15:09
Hi guys,i can see your points on repairing it ect, but, it really is not worth doing. Theres loads more things that i havent mentioned or photographed...it needs to be seen really......if anyone wants to talk to me about it your more than welcome, pm me and i will send you my phone number.

Posted by: mpl2438 - 24 March 2009 20:18:02
Re Rattletrap, seems bits from a lot of cars were used to rescue it, my point being the same may have been done to this car.It doesnt take away the fact the car remains when others are lost and, to be frank,new panels used panels repro panels, who cares as long as another car is rescued for its current and future custodian to enjoy. Not all cars can or will be cherished museum or show pieces,some cars are used and enjoyed daily and all help should be given to keeping these on the road safely, to original spec or otherwise

Posted by: mpl2438 - 24 March 2009 20:18:02

Re Rattletrap, seems bits from a lot of cars were used to rescue it, my point being the same may have been done to this car.It doesnt take away the fact the car remains when others are lost and, to be frank,new panels used panels repro panels, who cares as long as another car is rescued for its current and future custodian to enjoy. Not all cars can or will be cherished museum or show pieces,some cars are used and enjoyed daily and all help should be given to keeping these on the road safely, to original spec or otherwise

Posted by: Standard split - 24 March 2009 20:54:43
[quote=mpl2438]Re Rattletrap, seems bits from a lot of cars were used to rescue it, my point being the same may have been done to this car.[/quote] Fair point :wink:

Posted by: mpl2438 - 24 March 2009 21:07:54
thank you :d

Posted by: JD - 24 March 2009 22:18:09
Oof! Jeez! I only just saw this. Looks like everyones worst nightmare. I do wonder if we are being a little quick to blame the previous owner though. Did he actually do the work? Even if he did, maybe he did it to the best of his ability and was proud that he´d done a good job. Not everyone has the skills they think they do. Hope you manage to get your money back out of this, and I´m pretty confident that you´ll do alright selling off parts. Better maybe also that you found out about it now, rather than after a respray or a lot of expensive work on the car.

Posted by: JD - 24 March 2009 22:18:09

Oof! Jeez! I only just saw this. Looks like everyones worst nightmare. I do wonder if we are being a little quick to blame the previous owner though. Did he actually do the work? Even if he did, maybe he did it to the best of his ability and was proud that he´d done a good job. Not everyone has the skills they think they do. Hope you manage to get your money back out of this, and I´m pretty confident that you´ll do alright selling off parts. Better maybe also that you found out about it now, rather than after a respray or a lot of expensive work on the car.

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